Modular rack battery system

• US 20030143455A1
• Filed: 11/06/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hawker Batteries Ltd. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Hawker Batteries Ltd. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Partington, Kenneth Michael, Evans, Rhodri
• Granted Patent: US 7,014,946 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/97
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

Devices include a plurality of batteries connectable in series and arranged in vertically stacked configurations. Each of the batteries includes opposite first and second lateral faces and a positive terminal and a negative terminal adjacent the first face. The first and second lateral faces each have nesting topography thereon. A first substantially vertically oriented sideplate has nesting topography thereon configured to receive the nesting topography of the first faces of the batteries and an electrical connector connected to a positive terminal of one battery and a negative terminal of an adjacent battery. A second substantially vertically oriented sideplate has nesting topography configured to receive the nesting topography of the second faces of the batteries.

Claims

1. A device for stacking and connecting batteries, the device comprising:

a plurality of batteries connectable in series and arranged in a vertically stacked configuration, each of the batteries comprising opposite first and second lateral faces, a positive terminal and a negative terminal, the terminals being located adjacent the first face, the first and second lateral faces each having nesting topography thereon;

a first substantially vertically oriented sideplate having nesting topography thereon configured to receive the nesting topography of the first faces of the batteries and an electrical connector connected to a positive terminal of one battery and a negative terminal of an adjacent battery; and

a second substantially vertically oriented sideplate having nesting topography configured to receive the nesting topography of the second faces of the batteries.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the nesting topography of the battery first face comprises one of a rib and a groove, and wherein the nesting topography of the first sideplate comprises the other of a groove or a rib.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the nesting topography of the battery first face comprises a rib extending substantially horizontally.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a handle attached to at least one of the batteries.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the handle is configured to provide shielding for at least one of the positive and negative terminals of a battery.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a set of first and second elongate vertically extending members for mounting the first and second sideplates.

7. The device of claim 1, the electrical connector comprising apertures adapted to receive a connecting member that connects the positive and negative terminals to the electrical connector.

8. The device of claim 1, the electrical connector comprising an aperture adapted to receive auxiliary wiring.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a set of first and second conductive cables for transferring power, the first conductive cable connectable to a positive terminal on one of the batteries, and the second conductive cable connectable to a negative terminal on another of the batteries.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the batteries together comprise a 48 volt standby power supply.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the batteries together comprise a 24 volt standby power supply.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the batteries is a 12 volt battery.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the batteries have vertical dimensions that are a multiple or division of modular units (HU/U).

14. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the batteries have horizontal dimensions suitable for a 19 inch rack architecture.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the batteries have horizontal dimensions suitable for a 23 inch rack architecture.

16. A battery, comprising:

a substantially rectangular housing having opposed lateral side faces, a positive terminal and a negative terminal, the terminals being located adjacent the first face, each of the first and second faces having one of a substantially horizontally disposed groove and rib adapted to mount on and nest with a complimentary side plate.

17. The battery of claim 16, wherein the battery is a 12 volt battery.

18. The battery of claim 16, wherein the battery has horizontal dimensions suitable for a 19 inch rack architecture.

19. The battery of claim 16, wherein the battery has horizontal dimensions suitable for a 23 inch rack architecture.

20. The battery of claim 16, wherein the battery has vertical dimensions that are a multiple or division of modular units.

21. The battery of claim 16, further comprising an alternating series of lead-containing positive and negative electrode plates and an electrolyte solution within the housing.